Khammuan explains govt decision on eligible, prohibited wood products

Khammuan province: The province yesterday circulated a Decision on the Approval of the List of Eligible and Prohibited Wood Products for Export among the relevant government sectors, district authorities and wood processing businesses in the province.

A meeting on the decision took place here yesterday and was presided over by the President of the Khammuan provincial State Inspection Organisation, Mr Khamphong Vongphachanh.

The meeting was in response to the implementation of Prime Ministerial Order No. 15 issued on May 13, 2016, on Enhancing Strictness on the Management and Inspection of Timber Exploitation, Timber Movement and Timber Businesses and the dissemination of the Decision on the Approval of the List of Eligible and Prohibited Wood Products for Export No. 1833/MoIC, issued on October 3, 2016.

Businesses that process wood products for export have played a role in revenue generation for the government's budget, but it has been observed that many businesses didn't understand the rules surrounding wood production for export. They had been unable to export their products and had to repeat processing, meaning they lost money because they had to spend extra on transport and labour, Mr Khamphong said.

The meeting was held to explain Decision No. 1833/MoIC to participants so that they better understood what the government was trying to achieve in terms of management and promotion of the wood business, he added.

The decision also notes that all wood products not mentioned in the list of eligible products are banned from export. Prior to the meeting, participants visited three wood processing factories in Yommalath, Thakhaek and Hinboun districts.

The meeting also disseminated the Notification on the Application to Certify Natural Wood Products and Planted Wood Products for Export and legislation related to the export of wood products.